High blood pressure is a condition in which pressure inside the walls of arteries is chronically elevated. Controlled high blood pressure through use of medication and lifestyle changes can allow individuals to live a fairly healthy and normal...
Ephedrine and caffeine are two parts of the popular fat-burning ECA stack. Users take ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin for weight loss and as a stimulant. People with an aspirin intolerance often just use ephedrine and caffeine together, or an EC...
According to the "5 Minute Clinical Consult" textbook, 20 percent of the American population has hypertension. Normal blood pressure is 120mm Hg or less systolic and 80mm Hg or less diastolic. Hypertension is defined as greater than two or more...
Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure in which a narrow tube called a catheter is inserted into the blood vessels within the heart though a vein or artery in the arm, groin or neck. Once placed, the catheter is injected with a dye that...
Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with dozens of health benefits. The National Institutes of Health notes that omega-3 fatty acids can keep arteries supple, lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride levels and prevent heart attacks, stroke and...
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, results from a lack of blood flow to a part of the brain. There are two types of stroke. An ischemic stroke results from a blockage of the artery supplying the region of the brain, and a...
The body produces an important hormone called insulin. Insulin aids in the absorption of glucose--sugar--from the bloodstream into the cells, which then allows the body to utilize foods containing carbohydrates and sugars for fuel. Natural insulin...
Because chocolate and coffee have long been maligned as junk foods that will give you acne, stunt your growth and make you jittery, it's hard to believe chocolate-covered espresso beans may offer health benefits. While scientists haven't looked...
Cocaine is a favorite among street drugs and is widely used, but it is far from fun and games. Long term use of cocaine leads to the failure of many organs including the skin, brain, lungs and central nervous system. Cocaine is very potent and...
A blood clot, also referred to as an embolism, may form in a vein or an artery in the arm. Risk factors for blood clots include obesity, a broken bone, birth control pills, traveling in a vehicle for long periods and bed rest. Recognizing symptoms...
Pravastatin is a medication prescribed to lower high cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. It is also helpful in improving the levels of healthy cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as explained by Drugs.com. They also point out that...
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are antidepressants used to treat atypical depression when all the other antidepressants drugs have failed, according to Netdoctor.co.uk. MAOIs are not a first line treatment for depression because they often...
A normal heart rhythm has the ability to pump blood to and from the heart without undue stress. Tachycardia is a rhythmic disorder of the heart that causes it to beat at a faster rate than normal. A resting heart rate that is between 100 and 130...
Alcohol detox can be dangerous and even deadly. Individuals who drink regularly may experience withdrawal symptoms after a period of abstinence. These symptoms vary in severity depending on how long a person has been a drinker, his frequency of...
Heart disease is a term that covers a variety of conditions that can lead to heart attack, stroke and death. Conditions such as arrhythmia, obesity, clogged arteries, high blood pressure and congenital heart disease all can contribute to heart...
Surgery for a hernia involves two approaches: the open technique, in which an incision is made near the site of the hernia, opening the skin and underlying connective tissue to expose the hernia and repair it from the front; or the laparoscopic...
The heart is the power generator for the body that allows for blood, oxygen and nutrients to be sent to different organs. When the heart malfunctions and is unable to perform this task, this condition is known as heart failure. This might be due...
Low blood sugar can cause behavior signs that can mimic stroke, seizure or other neurological disorders. Another name for low blood sugar is hypoglycemia. Individuals with diabetes are especially prone to the development of low blood sugar, but...
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are nutrients your body requires to function normally. Since they are not produced or stored in the body, you need to eat foods that contain essential fatty acids. While there are many different essential fatty...
Any new sign or symptom during early pregnancy can be frightening, especially if you are having your first child. During the first trimester, rapid growth of the baby will increase the work done by mom's body. Natural fluctuations in blood...
According to Drugs.com, Prilosec, or omeprazole, is a proton pump inhibitor used to reduce acid in the stomach. Plavix or clodiprogrel is antiplatelet drug used to prevent heart attack and stroke in patients with certain heart conditions. An...
Platelets or thrombocytes are blood cells that are necessary for blood clotting. Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which there is abnormally low platelets in the blood. Common causes of thrombocytopenia in babies include infections, reduced...
Keeping your body well hydrated is critical for a healthy functioning brain and nervous system. When you have a neurological disorder, hydration and proper nutrition can not only sustain your health, it may also prevent an irreversible progression...
Some of the effects of cigarette smoking occur immediately, such as the action of nicotine that smokers seek, and others accumulate gradually. As the many toxic and carcinogenic substances in tobacco harm the body, chronic diseases and acute...
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, psychotropic medications are drugs used to treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD....
Meridia, or sibutramine, is a diet drug that was prescribed as a weight loss medication in the United States. However, as of October 2010, the maker of Meridia, Abbott Laboratories, has withdrawn the drug from the market due to research...
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that lower triglycerides and reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and death. Omega-3s are available in foods such as fish, flaxseed and walnuts but can also be supplemented in capsule form. Other...
Fish oil contains healthy fats called omega-3 fatty acids that include docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements may lower fats in your blood and reduce your risk of heart disease, including...
Aneurysm refers to the abnormal widening of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. MedlinePlus notes that aneurysms can occur in different locations of the body such as the aorta, brain and intestines. Aneurysms within the body...
Get the facts about hypertension and tips for living with high blood pressure in this video.
Take control of cholesterol. Learn the facts about cholesterol and tips for lowering cholesterol count in this video.
